"An Illustrated History of the Big Bend Country; Embracing Lincoln, Douglas,
Adams and Franklin Counties; State of Washington". Spokane, Western Historical
Publishing Company, Publishers, 1904. pp. 822-823.
SAMUEL KASPER is one of Lind's leading business men and is well known both in
the town and the surrounding country. He stands at the head of a large
mercantile business and has gained the success with which his efforts are now
crowned by virtue of business ability and industry, dominated by wisdom. He has
the happy faculty of providing the people with the goods they desire and at the
prices which can but receive their approval. This is not a matter of chance, but
is the result of his long training in the commercial world, that but developed
the talent with which he is richly endowed.
Samuel Kasper was born in the northern part of Poland, on October 17, 1848.
There he was well educated in the public schools after which he learned
thoroughly the tailor trade. This has been of inestimable benefit to him in his
later years of business, as it placed him in possession of a practical knowledge
with which nothing else can vie. In 1862, he came to the United States and for
three years wrought in New York city. Then he journeyed to the Golden Gate and
in the metropolis of the Pacific coast, he opened an art store, handling also
paints and glass. Later he sold this business and opened a clothing store. In
the prosecution of this business he continued until 1887, when he came north to
Pomeroy and there entered into business as a dry goods merchant. Here he
continued until 1896, and then removed to Kendrick, Idaho, in the same business.
Later he returned to San Francisco and in connection with his son and
son-in-law, he opened a wholesale wood and willow-ware establishment. This was
handled successfully by our subject until 1901, and in that year he sold and
came to Lind. In partnership with his brother, he opened a store in this town
and together they operated until March, 1904, when they dissolved partnership,
and since then Mr. Kasper has been at the head of the business where we find him
at the present time. He is established on the prominent corner of Lind, on both
sides of the bank, and has a frontage on two streets. The sightly and commodious
store is well filled with a choice assortment of the goods adapted to this
market and Mr. Kasper is favored with a fine patronage. He is well known all
through the country and has many warm friends. He has so conducted his business
that he has won the confidence of the people and the result is his trade is
constantly increasing. Mr. Kasper carries a stock of general merchandise,
clothing, men's furnishings, dry goods, and in fact everything to be used in
this section. He has at present over twenty thousand dollars' worth of goods and
is contemplating increasing his business.
At San Francisco, on August 18, 1872, Mr. Kasper married Miss Mena Sellick,
a native of Poland. Her family came to this country when she was a child four
years of age. She was reared and educated in New York city and is an
accomplished lady. To this marriage four children have been born, Etta, wife of
A. Green, a well known traveling man in San Francisco, Rose, H. H., and Jacob.
Mr. Kasper is a public minded man, and always takes a great interest in the
welfare of the community. He is a member of the K. P. and the B. B.
Submitted by: Georgia Harter Williams, georgiahw@earthlink.net